Home/Global News/ Syria rejects United States claims on chemical weapon use

Syria rejects United States claims on chemical weapon use

Bobbie Sutton |Monday, February 05, 2018

Syria is making new chemical weapons despite 2013 deal: US

The Syrian foreign ministry denied on Saturday US allegations it had used chemical weapons against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta enclave near Damascus, saying the accusations were "lies" without evidence.

"The Foreign Ministry decisively condemns U.S. groundless allegations against the Syrian leadership of chemical weapons use in Eastern Ghouta [in eastern suburbs of Damascus]", the statement read, as quoted by the Syrian state-run SANA news agency.

Mattis says it is clear that Assad's government has weaponized and used chlorine gas in the Syrian civil war.

Meanwhile US Defence Secretary James Mattis said on Friday that the Syrian government would be ill-advised to "go back to violating the chemical (weapons) convention".

Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday that the U.S.is looking for evidence to support the claims.

However, another official said that the Trump administration hopes that stepped-up worldwide sanctions and diplomatic pressure against Damascus will help rein in Syria's chemical weapons program.

"We are even more concerned about the possibility of sarin use, (but) I don't have the evidence,"Mattis said".

However, the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC), an opposition group, said chemical weapons had been used by the government of Bashar al-Assad in Ghouta.

The French government announced Tuesday that it is freezing the assets of companies that help furnish material to the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, a Syrian lab accused of producing chemical weapons.

In his remarks Friday, Mattis alluded to the April attack, saying, "So they'd be ill-advised to go back to violating" the worldwide prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.

Syrian activists say civilians have suffered chlorine gas poisoning during an attack on the rebel-held town of Saraqeb in Idlib province.

However, Syria and Russian Federation had rejected the United States claims, suggesting that militants might have detonated the chemical weapons on the ground.

North Korean skaters begin training for PyeongChang Games
The rise of dating apps like Tinder could be to thank for an anticipated increase of sexual activity in the athletes village . This year's games will have more free condoms than ever before, the South China Morning Post reports .

Russian Federation criticizes new U.S. nuclear plan
My view is that the use of or the threatened use of nuclear weapons in these circumstances simply aren't credible. US officials insisted that these changes will make its deterrents more credible and raise the nuclear threshold.

GROUNDHOG DAY: Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?
Though it is not an official American holiday, it is largely observed throughout the country and celebrations are common. The tradition came to North America when German immigrants arrived in what is now the eastern state of Pennsylvania.

29 women held in Iran for protesting against hijab
I think the government of Iran , they have the fear of these courageous women", founder Masih Alinejad CBC Radio on Wednesday. The footage shows Mohaved waving her white hijab defiantly from the end of a pole, her black hair flowing uncovered.

Tom Brady's Impressive Record Playing in Minnesota
While he never had to play Minnesota in college at home, Brady has had two games against the Vikings at Gillette Stadium. If anything, Brady gives off the impression he has no worries outside of playing the Eagles.

Meghan Markle smiles through awards nominations mix-up
She and Prince Harry attended a pre-ceremony reception for VIP guests including the nominees, Endeavour participants and funders. It's no surprise Meghan handled the hard moment so well - after all, she's been in the spotlight for most of her adult life.

Windows 10 has officially surpassed Windows 7 worldwide
The post states that Office 2019 will only be available to Windows 10, or the next long-term servicing version of Windows Server. Plus there is also the issue of familiarity, habit, and comfort that might see some users choose to skip the upgrade.